I live in a very democratic dominated liberal inner-ring suburb of St. Louis. As such, our protestors are mostly white middle to lower income folks from the area. However, most of those being arrested for violent acts are lower income white people from rural counties close to St. Louis, known for being quite conservative and republican. They are mostly the ones “starting the fires” for which others are “pouring on gasoline” after the non-violent protestors leave. This isnt as observed from media reports, it is from direct and indirect observation. I’m not participating in the protests and certainly not the vandalism but have an almost “front row seat” and am briefed regularly on both COVID19 and civil unrest activites from emergency response sources. I have found the media to be very inaccurate focusing on sensationalizing things to serve their audience, regardless of perceived sides of the republican or democratic ”slant” to their audience and who their advertisers are marketing to. Bear in mind, they all are selling advertising. Don’t take the bait... Frankly, I don’t think there is an honest or reliable media source, certainly not the major national media outlets no matter which way they slant.
I have witnessed irresponsible COVID19 behavior at protests. Also, I walk my dog nightly down the main strip of our entertainment district. Some of the bars and restaurants have reopened. I can look directly in the windows. Social distancing and mask wearing has gone out the window, mostly at the bars. I have a friend who recently installed a large pool, one of my more conservative friends. He had a pool party with 20 something guests. He believes the COVID19 thing is liberal conspiracy. He has a masters degree in business, if it matters. I have an uncle who’s church has been having in person services for some time. So, in my observations, if there is a spike in cases, it has everything to do with everyone involved being careless regardless of their liberal or conservative values.
I haven’t lost any loved ones to COVID19 but have friends that have been very sick from it. I have friends that work in ICU units. It is real. Beyond that, I dunno.
My immediate family has been really careful and will be until receiving a vaccine. I have been tested for COVID19 antibodies and am negative. I will wear my mask and social distance. I will get tested again at some time in the future.
If it matters, I consider myself a conservative democrat. (Really, not a unicorn, we just don’t speak up much.) I voted for our republican governor and democrat County executive. The republican governor resigned due to being charged with a crime. Our democrat county executive resigned just before being convicted of a crime. Both are ethical zeros who had me fooled. I met and had good conversations with the county executive and communicated with the governor who lived close by before voting for them. Lying is the intent to mislead. Both are liars and law breakers. Seems lower level politicians still are not above the law.
I am a former union member, now in public safety management. My father was a union machinist. We are far from wealthy, solidly just above lower middle class. My father had a good private sector pension. I will have a good public sector defined benefit pension which will be about 45% of my preretirement income, for which I paid 7% of my earnings into. I have saved enough money in a 457 plan (no employer contributions) to offset some of the difference. I am not eligible for social security due to my publicly funded pension. Can’t see how that is part of the problem.
Oh, I have SiriusXM in my car/trucks and while I like Pearl Jam, I no longer listen to that channel. I like almost everything music in moderation.